Blog

(What motivates me to prioritize my health, and how do I make it work. Part 2)

Is it possible to eat healthy these days? I believe it is, and it’s not as difficult as one might think to live a healthier lifestyle. Sure, it takes some thought and effort, but I sum it up to doing the best we can with what we have, in the area in which we live.

When I consider my diet today, it looks nothing like it did 20 years ago; thank goodness, as my staple food was, admittedly, potatoe chips! Change doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a work in progress, and as I learn more about food and my environment, I constantly tweak my choices. I also adapt to my surroundings and make adjustments according to what’s available. When I moved to from Nova Scotia to Qatar, I quickly realized that I had to think outside the box, try new brands, read labels and ask the local folk about the produce that was available to me. With my interest in cooking, it was exciting to try fruits and vegetables I’d never heard of, experiment with spices that I had only read about, and taste dishes of which the ingredients had to be identified by the chef. Being a frugal shopper, I was happy to sample local products, which were a fraction of the cost of the imported and well known varieties.

I think, as a whole, we have become wiser to the relationship food and the environment has on our health and wellbeing. We are making smarter and more informed decisions before filling our grocery carts. With the Internet at our fingertips, we have the opportunity to learn about food; it’s benefits, how it’s grown, and the process it goes through before reaching our tables. Equally, the contradictive information out there can be mind boggling and it can leave us not knowing what to believe. It's up to us to dig a little deeper to find factual information so that we can make informed decisions about what we put into our bodies.

So, how to get started? We are all different and what works for one person, doesn’t necessarily work for another. Our eating habits stem from childhood and we have emotional attachments to food, cultural traditions, as well as family and social influences. The first thing we need is the desire to change. If we truly want to start living a healthier life style we will. I honestly think it’s that simple and with that frame of mind we will start moving toward our goals. We’ll become more inquisitive and selective of our food choices, and, as we learn more about the how food fuels our bodies, we will desire fresh produce over denatured food. When, one morning, we wake up and realise that we feel better, have more energy, as well as a more positive outlook, we will be motivated to continually improve upon our current choices.

Lack of energy, aches and pains, digestive complaints, illness and disease, are telling signs that the body is not in balance. It's up to us to pay attention to the warnings that the body is unsatisfied with our lifestyle choices. I think, deep down, most of us beleive that natural, whole food is what the body requires for optimal performance. As John Robbins, author of Healthy at 100, writes “We all have the tools to live longer lives, and to remain active, productive, and resourceful until the very end.”

This is Janice, inspiring change

P.S. Summer is over and September is all about fresh starts, new schedules and routines. Click here for your free Developing Healthy Habits guide and start living your healthier lifestyle today!

Subscribe

Sign up with your email address to receive my latest blog post.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

We respect your privacy.

The entire contents of this website is based upon the opinions of JANICE INSPIRING CHANGE. The information herewith is NOT intended as medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the care of a medical doctor or other health care professional. The content is not intended to diagnose or treat diseases. Always consult with your primary care physician or for all diagnosis and treatment of any disease or condition, for medication or medical advice as well as before changing your health care regimen.

The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of JANICE INSPIRING CHANGE HOLISTIC NUTRITION. The information on this website is NOT intended as medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the care of a health care professional. This content is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. Always consult with your primary care physician for all diagnosis and treatment of any diseases or conditions, for medications or medical advice as well as before changing your health care regimen.